Are Athletic Awards For Children a Good Thing Or a Bad Thing?
August 31st, 2011 | 
Author: Sports medals: a good or bad idea in kids’ sports? Most kids’ sports these days award medals or custom ribbons to winning teams. Many children have a bedroom decorated with various medals and ribbons. They may be lined up on the wall or displayed in special cases. They have special uniforms and tee-shirts. These things are a source of pride and accomplishment. But is awarding medals and ribbons a good thing for children?
On the “yes” side is the pride and motivation that children feel when they are recognized as winners. Kids who might play half-heartedly might play just a little harder and work to improve their skills if there is a reward for success. They might practice more and take their place on the team more seriously if they know that they will receive a tangible symbol of their skill. If the child’s goal is to qualify for an athletic scholarship, a roomful of awards is one tool for reaching this goal.
However, I can make arguments for the “no” side. First, games for kids should be played for fun. We want all kids to play sports so that they get sufficient exercise and develop a strong, healthy body. But think of the kids with less natural ability. In a formal sports program, they will struggle and be less likely to be a star. When they see the other kids walking away with trophies and ribbons, they may come to see themselves as no good at sports or as losers. Feeling discouraged, they will be more likely to drop out and turn to computer games. If kids get together on their own and play casual games just for the fun of it, more kids are likely to be included.
Another objection to sports awards for kids, particularly in a school setting, is that the athletes are set above the other students. The sports stars are the school heroes, the popular kids, the “good catches.” There are other kids who excel at what they are good at, but they may not get the recognition that the athletes get. The group that comes to mind is the academic achievers. In many schools, it’s cool to be athletic, but it’s not cool to be academic. Many smart kids try to keep their lights under a bushel so that they aren’t labeled as “nerds,” “brainiacs,” or “suck-ups.” On the other hand, the athletes wear special sweaters and jackets that proclaim their excellence. This objection would just go away if schools would recognize scholars as they do athletes and if the attitude that people who excel academically are “elitists” went away.
So, which side wins: the “for” or the “against”? In my opinion, anything we can do to interest kids in sports is a good thing. Trophies, medals, and ribbons are strong motivators. Kids respond when their success is recognized by trying even harder. But we need to keep the negatives in mind and work to overcome them so that all kids can have the same sense of accomplishment for the things that they do well.
Connor Sullivan has found buying sports medals online is a great reward for young children at the end of the basketball season. He also ordered a custom ribbon for each young child on his basketball team is an easy way to improve morale.
Random Posts
Posted in General